Man who stole ring from MAX stabbing hero gets 13 months in prison

by KATU Staff

George Tschaggeny during his sentencing hearing on Nov. 14, 2017 (KATU News photo)

PORTLAND, Ore. —

The homeless man accused of stealing a wedding ring off the finger of Ricky Best, one of the men who died in a knife attack aboard a Portland MAX train in May, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.

"I unlawfully and knowingly stole personal property from Ricky Best during a catastrophe," Tschaggeny wrote in the plea agreement.

Tschaggeny was wearing Best's ring when officers arrested him about a week after the stabbings. Investigators said he also stole Best's wallet and used his credit card five times. The theft was caught on surveillance video.

He was sentenced to 13 months in prison Tuesday, and has apologized to Ricky Best's family. He has already served 1.5 months of that sentence, and with good behavior, he could get a portion of it reduced.